Mostly Pleasant [Possibly Offensive] Perceptions

29 Short-Long Years

Now that my half birthday has passed, I’m officially less than 6 months away from the big 3-0. To be honest, the closer it comes, the less I fear it – which is pretty ideal.

Good News: I’ll survive turning 30 – I’ll live.

29 years is a very short-long time.

Short enough that I certainly do not know everything.

Long enough to have learned quite a bit.

29 Things I Have Learned In 29 Years

(Many of these things will not be mind-blowing to anyone reading this. Many of them are ideas I’d known intellectually, but only recently have learned practically.)

1.) The Beatles have the capability to cheer anyone up.

2.) The very worst things I’ve experienced completely blindsided me and there was no way to avoid it. If I could have, it wasn’t the worst thing.

3.) True friendship is not dependent on how often you talk to someone, or see someone – true friends will always be there no matter what & no matter where “there” is.

4.) Locksmiths are very expensive, and I have yet to find one that offers any sort of punch card or discount for people who repetitively lock their keys in their car.

5.) The true meaning of love & that marriage is so much more than “just a piece of paper” – like I had said on numerous occasions, I was very wrong – it’s so much more.

6.) There is power in apologizing and admitting when I am wrong. On the contrary, I have also learned the power of forgiveness & the importance of choosing my battles.

7.) There is a lot of [physical & emotional] muscle in a hug. A hug can say so much more than anyone could actually say.

8.) High-Fives are awesome & everyone should high-five more often…They are especially great when the other high-fiver is just as excited as you.

9.) Technology is the best & worst thing that has EVER happened. It’s possible that is more of a formed opinion rather than something I was actually taught – however…I still stand by it.

10.) It feels good to exercise and eat right. On that same note, I’ve learned the importance of my health & the sincere want to be around for as long as I possibly can.

11.) Sacrifice can and usually produces good. If I can sacrifice something in exchange for something I need or want…It’s worth it.

12.) To care about my reputation; not popularity – but reputation. That’s my name…I won’t dirty it up. I’ve learned that is called this thing called, “Pride”.

13.) A little niceness can go a long way, and it makes me feel good. Holding the door for someone I don’t know (or do know), telling a stranger getting off the elevator to have a nice day, making a point to smile at people I pass…That stuff is so EASY, and it might brighten someone’s day.

14.) There is no feeling in the entire universe that trumps the love I have for my child. You have a baby and *BAM* : Love explodes all over you & it’s wonderful.

15.) Do not light a Fourth of July Sparkler upside down, it will explode in your hand and cause some nasty painful bubbly burns.

16.) Age truly is just a number. I still feel 22 (most days). Some days I feel 85 – but it remains just a number.

17.) People change and grow apart & that’s okay.

18.) Ghosts, spirits, angels…whatever you choose to call them…they exist. I will leave it at that.

19.) Own the truth, even if it will get me in trouble. If you speak nothing but the truth, you don’t need to keep your story straight. Imagine that.

20.) Karma is real. Choose to believe in it or not, but I am confident that everyone, everywhere at some point will believe in Karma.

21.) It’s important to choose my friends wisely. I refuse to surround myself with people who will bring me down or that continually make bad choices. Some people are truly not worth your time & effort.

22.) Only I know what is best for me. I’ve learned to use my head, heart & gut to steer me – carefully choosing which one to listen to in different situations.

23.) Take a minute to have a mini dance party – whenever & wherever it takes place –Turn it up, shimmy it out.

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17 thoughts on “29 Short-Long Years”

I high-fived a surgeon post-op. It wasn’t until afterwards I realized that’s probably not what people of that high of skill level are looking for. Maybe my list will include “timing is everything”. I also lit my hair on fire with some sort of 4th of July explosive once. Once.

OOPS! Damn, who knew that when you hit delete in that box it POSTS…lol. Ok, the other thoughts – for me, 30 wasn’t a big deal at all, but 33 snuck up on me and whooped me pretty hard! Oh…and don’t even get me started on 50!

I love being in my 30s. I’m one of those people who still look 24ish (I’m not flattering myself, I conduct valid polls of course) so my only fear is one day I’ll wake up and BAM look 60, no slow transition, no warning. I sort of live in fear of that day. Other than that, I absolutely love everything about my 30s.

Wonderful post, both entertaining and insightful. I really enjoyed getting to know you better, and I think that writing a lesson you’ve learned for every year of your life is fantastic. I wholeheartedly agree with you on the Beatles. I mean, how can you stay angry when you hear “Yellow Submarine?” I haven’t had a high-five in a long time, but now I have a serious craving for one! 🙂 I really like the idea of the mini dance party as well. Sometimes you’ve just gotta get your groove on- I’ll try to remember this next time I’m down. You’re not lying about the box wine, either! Very misleading, as you don’t realize how much you’ve drank until your head is fuzzy and the bathroom floor looks like a good place to settle for the night. Every statement of yours came through with rich authenticity, and I wish more people (including myself) could live by similar philosophies. Your son is lucky to have such a wise mother. And by the way, 30 isn’t such a stressful number…
P.S. I ABSOLUTELY ADORE your new blog layout. The header is gorgeous and clever ( just like you)! I wish I was that creative to design such a masterpiece! Also, I love the bigger picture of you on the side with Marilyn’s quote- it really seems to encapsulate you and your writing!

You could not be any more accurate when detailing wine escapades! The boxes are so sneaky & They seem like they will never run out…
Thank you so much for noticing the newness on my blog! I’m happy you like it!
I actually paid someone $5.00 on Fiverr.com to make a header for me…had him revise it about 4 times & finally just gave up and made one myself. Had I known it would be so easy, I’d rather have spent that $5.00 on 2 chili cheese burritos from Taco Bell or something. I used PicMonkey.Com … It’s pretty fabulous.

Lol I love how you compare expenses to their food counterparts. I greatly appreciate you sharing the resources. Maybe I can give my blog a much needed makeover, and I won’t have to sacrifice a subway foot long either. Let’s be serious though, I don’t eat that healthy. More realistically, I’d be saving a medium concrete mixer from Culver’s. 😀 You rock, girl!

If you want some help, Let me know what you’re looking for & I’d be happy to plunker around with it and see what I can come up with. Just let me know!
I have a very sincere love/hate relationship to food…I love to eat & I hate the repercussions. 🙂 I think if we hypothetically put our 5.00 together…we could possible EACH get a chili cheese burrito & a small concrete mixer (forget Subway….).